DEMO ☯︎ FAQ ☮︎ DIRECTORY ♪

despite staff's recent changes, we're... winning??????

there’s something so bittersweet and lovely about fanfic, at it’s core. it’s so impermeable, because it’s so individual. fics don’t get finished. fics get lost because they were typed out and sent to friends, in the 70s, and somewhere along the way someone packed it up in a cardboard box and their kids shuffled it to the attic. websites go down. archives get built, but then people lose faith in the story or the canon or the creator and delete them. you read it at like, 3am, and can’t remember the title months later when you look for it again.

the tiktok these comments are from was lamenting about the loss of a favourite fic—it (the tiktok) had 85k+ likes, and over 700 comments, mostly similar to these. people talking about downloading fics to read on a tablet only for them to disappear the next day. using the wayback machine and combing through results, just to find something they loved. i think it’s sweet because it’s so human—how easily we love something, and how easily we lose it. i used to print out my favourite fics, as a kid—i still have a binder of them, buried under yearbooks and the old journals i kept during those topsy turvy preteen years. i could tell you the overarching plot to a Cardcaptor Sakura fantasy AU i read (and loved; it became my personality for months afterwards) but i can’t remember how it ended, or if it even did. i finally broke down and signed up for an account on AO3 specifically to bookmark an old, old fic that i had read somewhere else, years and years and years ago and found again on AO3 only because i accidentally stumbled on the author here on tumblr (i had only found the fic in the first place all those years ago because of a playlist). i used the same shade of lipstick for years purely because a fic i really liked had the main character apply it (it was a limited edition one at the time; i bought my first one from a ebay seller in the UK at double the retail price, lmao) while the love interest watched them, but i can’t remember the name of it, only how it made me feel (and how, for years afterwards, i would wear that shade whenever i felt like the day had something promising to it).

one of the first anon’s i ever got, in the early days of this tumblr, was someone who asked me if it was okay if they downloaded surrender—and of course it was. of course it is. there was a point, during the final stretch when i was trying to write the last chapter, that i almost lost the entirety of what i had written for that fic—and i mean, it was on AO3 by that stage so it would’ve only set me back a chapter or so, but it goes to show how fragile things can be. how sometimes fics only last in tiny ways—because of the unfinished PDF file someone downloads. The patchy memory of someone’s who’s jumbling it and three other fics together. Because someone wore the same shade of lipstick you mentioned, off-hand, for years afterwards.

(this is a love letter to the silent readers; the silent savers. the lurkers. fandom and the internet at large is made of lurkers (eighty-five thousand likes. seven hundred comments). people who saved fics and waybacked them and will reread them, even uncompleted. telling each other we did a good job, that we liked this or we liked that is wonderful, and fun, and a great (and important) way to build a community and has also given me my current friends—but sometimes something you make will matter and live on in a way you will never, ever know. and it’s just how it is. it’s part of the fun and it’s part of the charm. it’s just how we work as people.)

DEMO TBA||FAQ||PINTEREST

The Arcanus Archives is an upcoming 18+ modern fantasy interactive novel. Inspiration is taken from: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and The Olympians, The Mortal Instruments (and various other YA series).

[[Content Warnings]]: This story will include things such as explicit language, violence, substance use, sexual themes, etc.

“That's the thing about magic; you've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.” ― Charles de Lint

The allure of magicae is undeniable. It's a force so majestic that many dedicate their entire lives to its pursuit - something that most people spend their entire lives devoted to.

After all, when one can do practically anything with just a wave of their wrist, why would they even consider wasting their time on things like cooking and cleaning when they could be learning to tame dragons or inventing new spells? Most Magus don't even consider leaving the world of Magicae once they've made a life for themselves.

Of course, you aren't most Magus.

Instead of breaking curses or making potions, you've made the very practical (and totally not boring) choice of settling down in the non-magical world. An odd choice, sure, but it's not like you were exactly going to make it very far as a Magus. Not with your...condition.

Especially now that the war was over.

Honestly, spending the rest of your life as a Debilis was probably the best choice you could have made.

...or at least, that was what you thought until a certain bird flew through your window and let the parchment in their mouth flutter down onto your desk.

So now, instead of being able to live out what would've been your very happy and normal life, you are being dragged back into a world full of mystic and wonder to fight a war that you really don't want anything to do with. You'd be terrified (or perhaps thrilled) if you weren't dreading it so much.

Have fun exploring a world of magic and wonder. Try not to get too caught up in the excitement though - after all, there is a dark side to everything.

Create your own character! Their personality, appearance, gender identity, sexuality and skills will be yours to customize!

Choose from five different houses that your MC could've been in during school!

Look back into your past and all the fun experiences and relationships that come with it. Try not to fall too deeply into it though - you still have the future to look forward to after all.

Join a secret magic organization in order to stop an upcoming war!! Yay!!

Navigate through a series of complex relationships. Will you find friendship? Fall in love? Help mentor and care for the child of your deceased friends? Join the dark side and murder everyone? It's completely up to you!

Astoria Furi (29) [F]

A former classmate and the current Lychnus Professor at Medeius. Astoria's just as intelligent and charismatic as you remember. Of course, she has upgraded from the popular head girl of your past and has become second-in-command for the Circle. Amidst the chaos of ongoing conflict and her unwavering commitment to her duties, will you be able to capture her attention?

Personality: Astoria is the type of person that garners respect from both friends and foes alike. Behind her calm and polite demeanor lies a heart that is filled with both passion and dedication. She embodies intelligence, talent, charisma, and, most notably, leadership. One can only wonder how someone is so perfect...

Appearance: Astoria is as elegant in appearance as she is in personality. Her dark umber skin is always perfectly clear and there is never a single jet-black hair out of line when it comes to her curls. Whether she be in a perfectly pressed pantsuit or a more casual turtleneck, she is dressed to the nines. Her captivating dark brown eyes complement her hourglass frame, that has her standing at around 5'9".

Caspian Vale (28) [M]

An incredibly powerful Magus and, more importantly, one of your (former?) best friends. It's been a few years since you've last spoken but for the most part Caspian has remained the same. He's still the arrogant, reckless, and overly charismatic man that he has always been. You wonder if he'll still let you see what's really going on under that surface, even after all this time apart...

Personality: Caspian exudes an aura of confidence and charm that draws people towards him like moths to a flame. He possesses a rebellious spirit, always ready to challenge authority and fight for what he believes is right. Beneath his roguish exterior, however, lies a fiercely loyal friend who would do anything to protect those he cares about. You used to be one of those people.

Appearance: Caspian is the embodiment of the "bad-boy" trope. Standing tall at 6'1" and sporting a lean but muscular build, his bronzed skin carries a smattering of freckles that only add to his allure. His dark, ebony locks cascade past his shoulders, framing captivating slate-grey eyes that seem to ensnare anyone who meets his gaze. With rugged good looks and an air of mystery, he's often seen in ripped jeans and a leather jacket, his skin adorned with a few tattoos scattered across his arms and torso.

Solaine Ozul (28) [NB]

Another former classmate and former rival (at least your friends former rival...) Solaine has kept their admittedly terrible bad attitude but has moved on from sneaking books out of the forbidden section of the library to breaking curses. Unsurprising, considering their skill in...less than favorable types of magicae. Still this war may be opportunity to mend old wounds...

Personality: Solaine is, to put it simply, an incredibly unpleasant person. They are apathetic and snarky on a good day and downright cruel on a bad one. Still, they're undeniable skill and intelligence is almost enough to make up for it. You also have a very distinct feeling that there is something much more warm lurking beneath their cold exterior.

Appearance: Solaine is the epitome of reclusiveness, a fact evident in every aspect of their appearance. With sickly pale skin and a tangled mane of shoulder-length (greasy) white hair, they cut a lanky figure at 5'7". Their gaze, like deep pools of dark purple bordering on black, pierces through anyone who meets their eyes. Preferring to shroud themselves in baggy, dark attire such as oversized sweaters or occasionally donning traditional magical robes, Solaine exudes an aura of mystery.

Maeve Blackwood (26) [F]

Maeve, a recent addition to the Circle, bursts onto the scene like a blazing comet of energy. While her background remains shrouded in mystery, one thing is abundantly clear: her spirit burns with almost too much passion as well as unwavering commitment to the cause. Yet, beneath her fiery exterior lies an enigma, leaving you uncertain whether to draw closer or keep your distance. After all, you don't want to get burned.

Personality: If there were a human embodiment of the term "spitfire," it would undoubtedly be Maeve. Her fiery spirit and unpredictable nature echo draw both admiration and caution from those around her. With a penchant for unpredictability and a dash of reckless bravery, Maeve navigates the world with a fervor that commands attention and respect, yet also leaves a trail of uncertainty in her wake.

Appearance: Maeve rocks a bold style that's as vibrant as her personality. With her short, blue (formerly blonde) hair framing her face, her piercing amber eyes command attention. She has tan skin dotted with freckles, and she stands at a sturdy 5'6" - her muscular build adding to her confident aura. You'll often catch her in graphic tees paired with jeans, completing her edgy look with a pair of rugged combat boots.

Jasper Blackwood (26) [M]

Jasper, perhaps the gentlest soul among them, stands as a stark contrast to his spirited sister. Quiet and empathetic, he exudes an endearing awkwardness that sets him apart. He exudes a gentle charm that he uses to navigate the world with. He seems eager to get to know you (although he seems eager about everything) and it's hard to tell if you should be flattered by the enthusiasm or not...

Personality: Jasper possesses a gentle soul, a rarity within the Circle, yet one that commands admiration. While his knowledge of magicae may not rival that of his peers, and his interest in combat appears lackluster, his dedication to the cause remains unwavering. Despite occasional hesitance and a tendency to stumble over his words, Jasper's fervor for standing up for what he deems to be right shines through, showing off the kind person that he is.

Appearance: Much like his sister, Jasper sports a tousled blond lock, paired with warm amber eyes. His tan skin, speckled with freckles, adds to his boyish charm. Standing at a slightly awkward 5'11", he possesses a lean, gangly frame that lends him a certain charm. His wardrobe typically consists of cozy sweaters, well-worn jeans, and comfortable sneakers.

When cats yawns they look terrifying, I love it.

You've been ice skating as long as you can remember.

Your mother is well known in the community as one of the most talented skaters in her generation, and you and your brother had quickly followed in her footsteps.

The two of you are called 'prodigies', something that inflates your brother's ego more than needed, and you're both due to preform in the qualifying competitions and make your way to nationals.

Everything has been going perfect for you your whole career, nothing will go wrong now, right?

Wrong, apparently. Because two months before the first competition is set to take place your brother suffers a nasty fall and acquires an injury that prevents him from ever skating again.

You swear off of competitive ice skating and the following competition out of solidarity, but it appears quitting something you've done your whole life isn't easy, especially if someone is trying to prevent you from doing so in the first place.

A customizable main character, including gender, pronouns, personality, physical appearance, family relationships, college major, part time job, and more.

Decide how you acted inside the rink, were you cocky and arrogant? Shy and modest? Stoic and competitive?

Choose between four romantic options - decide if your best friend's loyalty to you goes deeper than friendship, try to figure out your self proclaimed rival's mixed signals, indulge or ignore the newbie ice skater who seems determined to get to know you, or rekindle an old relationship* with your coach's son.

Deal with your families reaction to you choosing to give up ice skating. Will you focus on your sister's and mom's support or how the decision negatively impacts your brother and mother?

Demo TBA, Character introduction post

Noel Watanabe [RO, they/them]: Since your first meeting when you were both 12, where the judges scored you one point higher than them, Noel has claimed themselves as your 'rival'. They certainly play the part— well sometimes. Between bringing you food after practice and completely ignoring you, their hot-and-cold personality practically gives you whiplash. When they heard you were quitting the sport, they were enraged. Will you dig deeper into your relationship with your so called rival?

Hallie/Harlow Mitchell [RO, gender selectable]: After deciding to take a gap year against their parents wishes, H finds themselves spending their (would be) fall semester in Illinois. You first run into them, quite literally. A blur of bright orange knocking you flat on your back isn't he way you were looking to get your mind off of your problems but it worked. And if it hadn't the sound of H profusely apologizing certainly did. They seem to follow you everywhere you allow them to after that. Will their attempts to motivate you to skate again lead to something more?

Sadie/Spencer Williams [RO, gender selectable]: Your best friend since your first year in middle school. They've seen all the parts of you that you keep hidden from others, for better or for worse. While never picking up ice skating themselves S has never missed one of your games as long as they've known you. S has always been loyal and supportive of you, almost to a fault, but that all changes when you tell them you're giving up skating. Will you find out why your normally laid back best friend is passionate about getting you to skate again?

Valerio 'Val' Diaz [RO, he/him]: Coach Diaz had introduced the two of you after your third lesson, convinced you would become quick friends. He was right, of course, at least for a while. Valerio was obliviously quite a bright kid; helping you with homework during breaks at practice, studying with you before lunch, spending your sleepovers going over multiplication tables rather than telling secrets. It was something you'd always admired about him until— well, you'd rather not get into it. Your old friend seems to think otherwise, if the speed he comes back into your life after hearing about your plans to quit skating is anything to go by. Will you be able to forgive and let your old friend (or more) back into your life?

Meet a wide cast of characters, including other competitive ice skaters, coworkers, classmates, your siblings' friends, and more!

*Valerio has both an exes to lovers and friends to lovers route available depending on player choices

🗡DEMO (COMING SOON!) 🗡CHARACTERS 🗡PLAYLIST

Rated 18+ for violence and sexual content. Trigger warnings will be provided at the beginning of each chapter.

The king is dead. Long live the king. Alandria is scarred from six long years of war. After a chance encounter in the field, heir-apparent Lisandro hires your mercenary band as security for his upcoming coronation. Now, you find yourself in the nebulous web of lies, schemes, and murder that make up Alandrian politics. When the future king falls deathly ill, it's your job, as the mercenary band's only healer, to figure out what's killing him. The king is dead. Love live the king.

🗡FEATURES

Customizable MC. Play as male, female, or non-binary; trans or cisgender; inter or endosex; customizable pronouns. Customize your appearance, and personality. Tailor your approach to patients -- do you rely on science and surgery, or magic and faith?

Four unique ethnic backgrounds. Alandrian -- the kingdom you find yourself in after ten years. Iskarian -- the expansive empire to the south, and the jewel of the world. Mani -- the nomadic people unwelcome in the north. Ruz -- hailing from the frigid, barren archipelago across the northern sea.

Who were you in your past? A peasant? A former noble? A monastic? Part of a cult? Each ethnicity has four unique origins to choose from -- each origin will impact the story in different ways.

Romance. Or not! Four romance options, two gender-selectable. Play as gay, straight, bisexual or asexual; allo or aromantic.

Solve a medical mystery. Save the king however you can.

Change the course of history. Your proximity to royalty puts you in a position to play the great game -- in fact, you have to, to stay alive.

POV Switches. See some parts of the story from the point of view of the ROs and other characters.

Keep your secrets hidden. They cannot find out.

🗡ROMANCE OPTIONS

Sibir Temyurinkai. [She/her, he/him, they/them] Your best friend for more than a decade. A mercenary warlord many people can't read. You have a lot of history. Maybe even too much. You make them vulnerable. Flavor of romance: friends-to-lovers, love epiphany, UST, shippers on deck.

Lisandro Abarcas. [He/him] The young king uncrowned of Alandria. He's hired Sibir (and therefore you) to be extra security for his upcoming baptism and coronation, but a mysterious illness forces you to play doctor. Flavor of romance: courtly love, Uptown Girl, savior complexes

Idali Abarcas. [She/her] Duchess of the northern province of Baqueria, second in line to the throne, Lisandro's older sister and vicious rival. A cunning, calculating opponent -- but she might be willing to work with you. Flavor of romance: Uptown Girl, Defrosing the Ice Queen, #girlbossmode, dancing with danger

Tesias. [She/her, he/him, they/them] A very mysterious masked traveler. They offer advice and information -- for a price. As a spy, you can't trust anything they say -- but you know they want revenge. And they want it now. Flavor of romance: [INFORMATION CORRUPTED]

🗡TAGS + LINKS

[TKP ASKS] [SIBIR] | [LISANDRO] | [IDALI] | [TESIAS] [DISCORD]

It's here lovelies!

Play Demo

I hope you like it and if you find any errors please send them my way! It's mostly just reviewed by a bunch of friends, so there is no beta specifically looking for mistakes.

The Intro Post

Anyways, hugs and kisses

-Carter

✦ | To light the darkest of paths.

Three generations.

That's how long it's been since this kingdom was conquered. In a time of great upset, the First Queen led a rebellion against reviled rulers and oppressive laws. Waging war with unmatched cunning, she rallied many powerful soul mages, known as angels, to the cause. From that conflict, the kingdom of Calcherth was born, built on the bones of the old empire. The First Queen ruled with great compassion and wit, but not all sins are forgiven with time. For the deaths she had caused during the war, the First Queen was murdered by the very people she had endeavored to lead.

The loss of its ruler did not spell the end of Calcherth, however. The coup was quickly suppressed, and the First Queen's son took the throne in her place. Now, many years later, the scars on Calcherth's short history have faded, and advances in soul magic improve lives for many within its borders. However, those same advances are viewed as a threat by Calcherth's neighboring kingdom, and many fear war is on the horizon once more. To make matters even more dire, the Second King has suddenly passed away, leaving his youngest son to succeed the throne long before he is old enough.

The effects of these events are so far-reaching, than even you are beginning to feel them, far to the southwest in the remote town of Lest. You are the child of a retired knight of the kingdom, who traded in his sword for the deed to Lest's tavern. The Fool's March, your father has named it, and the humble, but beloved tavern has been the center point of your entire life. But now, with rumblings of war, your father plans to pick up a blade once again, heading to the capital to enlist and leaving you behind in your childhood home. With him no longer by your side, what will you do when a threat to the entire kingdom comes for you? What will you do when you find out you may be a soul mage, yourself?

Those Long Dead is rated 18+ for depictions of swearing, sexual themes, violence, and death. More warnings may be added as development goes on.

Features:

Medieval Fantasy setting with angelic imagery and themes, and a focus on romance.

Adult characters, with the main cast being mid twenties to early thirties.

Customizable MC. Select your first name, last name, pronouns, appearance, orientation and manifestation of powers.

Five romance options of varying gender and personality, who you can interact with as you choose.

More to come as development continues!

Romance Options:

Kaine Breckem (he/him) - The blacksmith's former apprentice, who your father took in and hired at the tavern a few years ago. A kind, but mischievous individual, Kaine cares about others a great deal, but that doesn't stop him from being full of snark. Kaine can be your closest childhood friend, or someone you unfortunately work with; the choice is yours to make. Regardless, he's rather protective of you... but who will protect him when he needs it?

Vermillion "Millie" Lousat (she/her) - A descendant of a noble family, Millie has extensive education and combat training... and is also quite the social butterfly. It doesn't matter if it's the docks or the Gilded District, if you want connections somewhere, Millie has them. She wears her heart on her sleeve and doesn't care about the consequences. Maybe you'll catch her eye, somewhere amidst the mass of other's trying for her affections?

Leon Calcherth (he/him) - Technically a prince, Leon is the standoffish older brother of the Young King, Caleb, but is no longer considered to be in line for the throne. He greatly regrets the situation this has put his younger brother in, as they're very close. Leon is not easy to get close to because of the way he acts, but maybe the prickly prince has a softer side underneath the thorns?

Milo Lance (they/them) - The commander of the Order of Light, and they absolutely live up to the position. Practically raised in Gilramore's guard barracks, Milo's personality tends to come across as stiff and business-like, but in actuality they simply enjoy being effective and to the point. A truly gentle soul in a warrior's suit of armor, if you can persuade them to let down their guard.

Clementene Fairwreight (she/her) - Celementene is a talented soul mage for the Order, but she is a researcher at her heart; field work isn't particularly for her. A slightly nervous disposition and bad eyesight really only add to her penchant to stay within Gilramore's white stone walls. Her surprisingly daring experiments with magic captivate most of her attention, but maybe she'll find something in you that can capture her focus as well?

Last updated 8/5/2023.

DEMO (WIP) | FORUM | PINTEREST

90s hamster core 🐹💾

I found these gifs I made a while back for a site that’s not running anymore, so I thought I’d post them here. It’s a description of psychiatric symptoms and states of mind using a pink box and some other stuff.